Wait for Apache attack helicopters continues

A lingering delay in the supply of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters by Boeing has disrupted the Indian Army's plans to modernise its aviation wing, officials aware of the matter said on Saturday, even as the US aerospace giant stressed it is working towards executing the contract as quickly as possible.

- Rahul Singh

NEW DELHI:

The army raised its first Apache squadron at Jodhpur in March 2024 to strengthen its posture against Pakistan, hoping that Boeing would begin deliveries a few weeks thereafter.

However, 15 months later, not a single helicopter has been delivered as the US firm grapples with supply chain bottlenecks in the aerospace industry that have slowed down production, the officials said, asking not to be named.

The 451 Army Aviation squadron was raised at Nagtalao near Jodhpur on March 15, 2024. The helicopter base is fully ready to operate the Apaches, the officials added. In 2020, the army ordered six Apache attack helicopters from the US for more than ₹4,100 crore.

"We remain closely engaged with the US Government and the Indian Army and continue working to execute our contract as swiftly as possible to meet the Indian Army's fleet requirements. For any additional information, we defer to our customer," a Boeing spokesperson said in response to a query on the delay.